ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

AN INTERESTING STATEMENT. WHY ZEEBRUGGE WAS ATTACKED. London, July, 13. Staff Paymaster Hughes, in a speech in London, said the plans for attacking Zeebrugge were thought out sis months ago, and the expedition started twice previously, but had. to return. German submarines to the end of 1916 sank 1,000,000 tons of British shipping, and sank 0,000,000 in 1917. During these months of sorrow ships were going down like autumn leaves. That was why the Zeebrugge nest was attacked. There were 300 warships in the navy proper at the outbreak of war, and now there were 3500. The CJyde shipyards recently launched the 42nd warship launched in the war period. Mr. Hughes narrated an example oi German brutality. A British patrol boat in the Atlantic discovered a derelict Üboat and rescued the crew. Before blowin" up the vessel the commander asked if all were safe, and the submarine commander replied "Yes." " The roll was called and all answered, but when the vessel pushed out preparatory to dropping a depth charge the commander of the° patrol boat heard a tapping, which continued. Despite repeated assurances that all were safe, the British commander did not believe the. German, and searched the U-boat. He found four British seamen tied up to time-mines.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Absoc. The Globe and Daily Dispatch strongly support Mr. Hughes being appointed with plenary powers to deal with the alien question.—United Service.